DEVELOPMENT OF POUR POINT DEPRESSANT USING AFRICAN PEAR SEED OIL (DACRYODES EDULIS) AND DESERT DATE SEED OIL (BALANITES AEGYPTIACA) AS GREEN ALTERNATIVES

This study investigates the potential development of biodegradable pour point depressants (PPDs) using natural oils from African pear seeds (Dacryodes edulis) and desert date seeds (Balanites aegyptiaca) as eco-friendly options to improve the flow properties of waxy crude oils. Nigerian crude oil is known for being high quality, but it often encounters serious flow assurance issues due to wax buildup, especially in cold weather. Current chemical inhibitors are effective but come with high operational costs and environmental risks. This research investigates the possibility of modifying these natural oils, which are readily available and usually considered waste, to create green-effective PPDs. The study builds on prior evidence that these seeds have a high oil content rich in fatty acids like oleic, linoleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, which may work well as wax inhibitors. By using n-hexane as a solvent in the extraction and modification process, this work aims to increase the economic value of these underused crops, encourage their cultivation, and widen their use in the oil industry. The findings of this study are expected to offer a sustainable and effective solution to reduce wax buildup, ultimately enhancing the efficiency of crude oil transport while addressing environmental issues linked to traditional additives.